5 Pointz Artists Receive Compensation for Whitewashed Graffiti

Whitewashing the graffiti mecca was a “cruel and willful act.”

5 Pointz Artists Awarded Damages Whitewashed Graffiti
Andrew Burton/Getty Images

The ongoing legal battle between 5 Pointz graffiti artists and real estate developer Jerry Wolkoff has officially come to a close. A total of 21 artists had sued Wolkoff for whitewashing their artworks at the NYC street art mecca, claiming that their murals were legally protected under the Visual Artists Rights Act. Now, the artists’ lawyer Eric Baum has announced that each artist was awarded damages after a court ruling in Brooklyn this Wednesday, as per the Daily News.

“The jury sided strongly with the rights of the artists,” Baum told the Daily News. “This is a clear message from the people that the whitewash of the building by its owner Gerald Wolkoff was a cruel and willful act.”

5 Pointz was founded by artist/curator MERES ONE back in 1993. It’s now a site for two luxury condo complexes.

Read Full Article

What to Read Next

WeTransfer Reveals Online Exhibition of Previously Unseen Ryan McGinley Photographs

WeTransfer Reveals Online Exhibition of Previously Unseen Ryan McGinley Photographs

Fifteen surreal masterpieces.
By /
Kidrobot Links with The Andy Warhol Foundation to Launch Soup Can Chess Set

Kidrobot Links with The Andy Warhol Foundation to Launch Soup Can Chess Set

Adding some flavor to typical strategic gameplay.
By /
Shepard Fairey to Launch Largest-Ever Solo Exhibition in LA

Shepard Fairey to Launch Largest-Ever Solo Exhibition in LA

Spotlighting around 200 works.
By /
How Adam Lucas Turned the Viral Success of Hanksy Into a Viable Art Career
Features

How Adam Lucas Turned the Viral Success of Hanksy Into a Viable Art Career

From trolling pop culture icons to making a name for himself.
By /
Cindy Sherman for Supreme, Off-White™ Installation & More Major Art Events
Features

Cindy Sherman for Supreme, Off-White™ Installation & More Major Art Events

Including “Emoji Portraits” by LA-based artist, Yung Jake.
By /
COS & Snarkitecture's "Loop" Offers a Universal Experience
Features

COS & Snarkitecture's "Loop" Offers a Universal Experience

A meaningful debut in Seoul.
By /
Shepard Fairey & N.E.R.D. Release 'Cracked But Unbroken' Print

Shepard Fairey & N.E.R.D. Release 'Cracked But Unbroken' Print

Limited to 200 pieces.
By /
Daniel Arsham Interprets an Iconic Marcus Aurelius Sculpture

Daniel Arsham Interprets an Iconic Marcus Aurelius Sculpture

Using volcanic ash and other crystal materials.
By /
Burberry Brings "Here We Are" Photography Exhibition to Hong Kong
Sales

Burberry Brings "Here We Are" Photography Exhibition to Hong Kong

Presented by Burberry
Capturing the brand’s most iconic moments.
Presented by Burberry /
This Photographer Captured Awe-Inducing Imagery of America's Deserts

This Photographer Captured Awe-Inducing Imagery of America's Deserts

Luca Tombolini’s “LS X” series has been ongoing for five years.
By /
More ▾
 
We got you covered. Don’t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.

Looks like you’re using an ad-blocker

We charge advertisers instead of our readers. Support us by whitelisting our site.

Whitelist Us

Already whitelisted us? Refresh page

How to Whitelist Us

screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Under “Pause on this site” click “Always”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlock Plus icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. “Block ads on – This website” switch off the toggle to turn it from blue to gray.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the AdBlocker Ultimate icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Switch off the toggle to turn it from “Enabled on this site” to “Disabled on this site”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the Ghostery icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the “Ad-Blocking” button at the bottom. It will turn gray and the text above will go from “ON” to “OFF”.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the UBlock Origin icon in the browser extension area in the upper right-hand corner.
  2. Click on the large blue power icon at the top.
  3. When it turns gray, click the refresh icon that has appeared next to it or click the button below to continue.
screenshot
  1. Click the icon of the ad-blocker extension installed on your browser.You’ll usually find this icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. You may have more than one ad-blocker installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for disabling the ad blocker on the site you’re viewing.You may have to select a menu option or click a button.
  3. Refresh the page or click the button below to continue.